Treatments to shorten the development period of celery (Apium graveolens L.)

Abstract

Studies on the vernalization requirement of celery showed that 20–30 days at 4–6°C were sufficient to induce maximum bolting and subsequent flowering in cv. Prazsky obrovsky when harvested at the end of October. For early harvesting at the beginning of September, it was necessary to extend the period of vernalization to 30–40 days. Gibberellic acid did not fully replace cold induction, but it hastened bolting and increased the percentage of bolting plants. Bolting and flowering took place even in short winter days in the glasshouse. Bulb celery can therefore be classified as day-neutral. Treatments leading to substantial shortening of the life-cycle of bulb celery for seed production are recommended.